Argentina A Very Affordable Holiday

The diverse country of Argentina, the second-largest country in South America and eighth-largest country in the world, is home to stunning vistas, cosmopolitan cities and a very lively mix of cultures. Most noted for its steak, leather, Malbec wine and the tango, Argentina is a safe, viable option for those looking to explore a European-type city or wide open countryside at a fraction of the cost of jetting over to Europe. Whatever the occasion for visiting the country, one will most definitely leave with an appreciation for good food, fine wine and a great pair of leather boots!

Buenos Aires

First and foremost, the city of Buenos Aires is filled with a flavor hard to describe. Its eclectic mix of Spanish, Italian and German cultures meld together to make something of a unique combination, unlike other South American cities. The city’s many neighborhoods each have a very distinct characteristic all their own. In Recoleta, for instance, the “upper crust” of society stroll its pristine streets. Home to Eva Peron’s resting place, this area is filled with high-end hotels such as the Alvear Palace (www.alvearpal ace.com) and Park Hyatt (www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.com), and boutique lodgings such as the Casa Sur (www.casa-surhotel.com). On the other end of the spectrum, The Palermo neighborhood is funky and hip with boutiques showcasing local designers. The 27-room Fierro Hotel (www.fierrohotel.com), in the buzzing Palermo Hollywood district, is one of the city’s newest chic boutique hotels with rich decor and a contemporary hip-meets-classic design, making it the ideal home away from home for business and leisure travelers, and perfect for anyone looking to be in the heart of the city’s bohemian shopping district. In San Telmo, a somewhat industrial district and home to the Moreno Hotel (www.moreno buenosaires.com), a unique antique market is held on its streets each Sunday. There are art galleries and tango halls to explore within this area and it should be considered the ideal neighborhood for clients looking for a less crowded destination than the popular districts of Palermo or Recoleta. But when it comes to hotels, perhaps the most quirky and colorful is the Faena Hotel and Universe (www.faena hotelanduniverse.com) located in Puerto Madero waterfront district. A Philippe Starck-designed masterpiece in close collaboration with the driving force and brainchild of the property, Alan Faena, this “city resort” is a visual feast for the eyes. It’s all about the color red here with heavy velvet red curtains, red roses and bold red carpeting in its lobby. Their nightclub is a popular hot spot and the Tango show here is not to be missed.

If your client would prefer to stay in their own private villa, the customized tour services of Blue Parallel (www.bpvillas.com) can arrange a luxurious home in the heart of the city as well as around the entire country of Argentina. With extensive experience organizing luxury trips to Latin America and exclusive access to some of the region’s finest properties, Blue Parallel Villas are ideal for those who wish to discover the essence of these cultures from the comfort of their own private residence.

Located just outside the city there are many Estancias perfect for a quick dose of country comfort. The Estancia Villa Maria (www.estancia villamaria.com), about a one-hour drive from the city, is a sprawling estate-turned-boutique hotel where you’ll enjoy tennis, swimming, taking in a polo match and viewing gauchos (cowboys) tend to their horses.

Natural Beauty

If travel plans allow for an excursion, send your clients via LAN Airlines on a short flight up to the Iguassu Falls, which just this past May was officially declared as one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature. Wider than any other, (extending over two miles), the Falls are majestic and part of a national park, home to over 2,000 plant species and 400 bird species. The perfect retreat while here, just far enough from the crowds of the Falls, but close enough for a day trip, sits the colonial-style villa of Posada Puerto Bemberg (www.puer tobemberg.com) where guests can explore it’s surrounding jungle filled with hummingbirds and other exotic bird species.

In Patagonia, there are thousand-year-old forests and icy mountaintops with glacier lakes, considered one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, waiting to be explored. The Tierra Patagonia (www.tierrapatago nia.com), a 40-room resort, sister property to the award-winning Tierra Atacama, is located on the shores of Lake Sarmiento, with stunning views of the legendary Paine Massif, one of the most photographed landmarks of the Patagonian region.

For wine connoisseurs, Mendoza has now been declared one of the Nine Great Wine Capitals of the World. For an intimate stay in the heart of Mendoza’s most important gastronomical center: Chacras de Coria, Casa Margot (www.casamar got.com.ar) has two guestrooms with private bathrooms and suite style dressing rooms surrounded by lively gardens, all very private and exclusive. A visit to the Los Arbolitos Vineyard in Argentina’s Uca Valley, located at the foot of the Andes and 56 miles from the city of Mendoza makes for a perfect day trip from the city. The Uco Valley is often hailed as the “next Napa Valley” and welcomes an increasing number of visitors to the tasting rooms each year. Active visitors can also choose from rafting, horseback riding, polo, and private heli-skiing, organized by La Morada (www.lamoradadelosan des.com), a residential community project nestled among the vines of the Los Arbolitos Vineyard.

For more information on Argentina and it’s many holiday options, visit www.turismo.gov.ar